Art Jewelry Elements Earring Challenge

I've recently stumbled upon a number of new jewelry making blogs that I've started following.  One of them is the Art Jewelry Elements blog which, as the name implies, has a focus on using hand-crafted, artisan beads and components.

In January, before I found them, they started a year long challenge to make one pair of earrings a week using at least one artisan component.  Every two weeks there is a reveal on the AJE blog that highlights a few designs from the current period.   Participants are able to link to their blogs or Etsy sites at the end of these bi-weekly posts.  They also have a board on Pinterest where participants that have been invited can pin their weekly creations.  They initially limited it but have just opened it back up... allowing me to join in the fun!  CLICK HERE to check out the great designs on Pinterest.

Anyway, I just got word that I would be included starting the second quarter of the year so I did fudge a tiny bit for my first two weeks (13 and 14 out of 52).  I used a couple of designs that I had previously made.  One of them is pretty recent, so I don't feel too much like a cheater, but my other pair I have had for a while.  I made them to go with my steampunk necklace that I mentioned in a previous post.  You can check it out HERE if you missed it.

Anyway, here are my first two submissions for the AJE Earring Challenge...

Week 13: C-Koop enameled gears

Week 14: Ceramic beads by unknown artist.

My week 14 beads are called Ancient Gears and you can see them in my Etsy site HERE.  I have a matching Ancient Gears Necklace too.

I think that this challenge will be one more great way to keep my creative juices flowing and to challenge my design aesthetic.  It should also do wonders to make a dent in my art bead stash!  From looking at some of the other pins on the board, I think that the earrings I emboss or etch and then paint would count for this which is great because I'm excited to finally make some things with my new embossing folders and patina colors.  From a business point of view, I also have some hope that this creative challenge might give my work and my Etsy site a little more exposure.  It can't hurt anyway!

Check out the blog hop to see what other folks have created the last two weeks!

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